Unipolar x-ray tube provided in an oil-filled container



Oct. 19, 1954 F. REINIGER UNIPOLAR X-RAY TUBE PROVIDED IN AN OIL-FILLED CONTAINER Filed July 5, 1952 Patented Oct. 19, 1954 UNITED UNIPGLAR X-RAY TUBE PROVIDED IN AN OIL-FILLED CQNTAINER Application July 5, 1952, Serial No. 297,248

Claims priority, application Germany September 8, 1951 (Cl. Z50- 90) l Claim.

This invention relates to the combination of a unipolar shockproof X-ray tube comprising a current supply cable, in which the space between the inner wall of the shockproof enclosure and the X-ray tube is lled with insulating liquid.

The term unipolar X-ray tube is to be understood in this case to mean an X-ray tube of which only one electrode is insulated for high tension with respect to the enclosure. Consequently, in this tube only one current supply wire is required to be insulated for high tension with respect to earth. In the combination according to the invention, this wire is in the form of a hightension cable, the extremity of which is introduced into the enclosure in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tube.

In X-ray tubes of this kind, the high-tension cable was hitherto rigidly connected to the shockproof enclosure. When the X-ray tube had to be turned around its axis in order to give the cone of rays a different direction it was necessary to twist the high-tension cable. The torsion of the cable is very troublesome more particularly if accurate adjustment of the cone rays is desired, which is the case, for example, with tubes with hollow anode for irradiating cavities of the body.

The present invention permits of obviating the said disadvantage. According to the invention, the X-ray tube is rotatable around its longitudinal axis with respect to the cable with the use of a bearing comprises a packing ring which closes the space filled with liquid. The rotatability of the X-ray tube may be ensured in different ways, it being possible for the enclosure to be rigidly connected to either the X-ray tube or the cable.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawing showing diagrammatically two examples of the combination according thereto, in which the high-tension cable and the X-ray tube respectively is rigidly connected to the shoc proof enclosure.

In the construction shown in Fig. 1, the shockproof enclosure l is intended to be carried by a support secured to a central portion 2 thereof. A high-tension cable 3 is rigidly secured to the enclosure. An X-ray tube 4 having an anode connected to earth and a cathode connected to a high-tension is secured to a cylinder 5 and is, together with the latter, rotatable about its longitudinal axis 6. An insulating liquid, for example oil, is provided in a cavity l, which exists between the X-ray tube and the enclosure. In order to avoid leakage of oil from the enclosure, a rotatable packing ring 8 of known construction is provided such as used in mechanics for leading piston rods or shafts in a liquid-tight manner through a wall. The supply current for the tube, together with the iilament current for the cathode from the high-tension cable is led to the cathode by way of a rotary contact device 9 provided between an insulator l@ and the X-ray tube. The anode li of the X-ray tube comprises a Window and a funnel for passage of the rays which may have a filter (not shown). If it is desired to give the funnel a different position for moving the axis l2 of the cone of rays in a diiierent direction, the cable 3 and the envelope 2 keep in position, but the cylinder together with the X-ray tube 4, is turned about the axis t. The packing ring 8 and the contact device t allow this movement. The former prevents leakage of liquid along the anode and the latter maintains the electrical connection between the X-ray tube and the high-tension cable.

In the example shown in Fig. 2, the shockproof enclosure is rotatably secured to the support with the use of a bush I3. The enclosure is rigidly connected to the X-ray tube, but it is rotatable about its axis with respect to the cable 3 through the intermediary of a packing ring i4, so that here also the cone of rays may be moved in the direction desired without twisting the cable. The electric current is led to the cathode through a rotatable contact device 9 provided the insulator l0 and the X-ray tube in a similar manner as in the construction shown in Fig. 1.

What I claim is:

A unipolar shockproof X-ray apparatus comprising an elongated shockproof enclosure, an X-ray tube disposed within and rigidly secured to said enclosure, an insulating liquid iilling the space between said tube and said enclosure, a high-tension cable extending in the longitudinal direction ofl said enclosure and rotatably secured to one end thereof, a bearing including a liquidtight packing ring coupling said cable to said one end of said enclosure whereby both the X-ray tube and the enclosure rigidly secured thereto are rotatable about their longitudinal axis relative to the high-tension cable, and means for effecting electrical connection between the hightension cable and the X-ray tube though the latter is rotated relative to the former.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,029,584 Pieper Feb. 4, 1936 2,144,524 Charlton et al Jan. 17, 1939 2,493,606 Waterton Jan. 3, 1950 

